Basic Sewing Kits
In sewing, as in other crafts, the right tools can make all the difference.
Beyond Store-Bought
Compact, purse-sized sewing kits usually contain a couple of buttons and snaps; a few yards of black, white, and colored thread; some straight and safety pins; needles; threader; miniature scissors and tape measure; and a thimble. Through the years you might have collected enough ideas about sewing essentials to create your own perfectly stocked sewing kits. Whether store-bought or hand-created, however, a sewing kit should be available for clothing repair emergencies.
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Sewing Kits for Special Occasions
A well-stocked sewing kit should also have an assortment of needles and needle threaders, a small pin cushion stocked with straight and safety pins, a tape measure, seam ripper, a thimble, and assorted buttons, snaps, hooks and eyes. Fray Check is important for repairing raveled edges, and a few different-sized patches should help with quick knee or elbow fixes. To top off your gift, you may want to include a book or magazine on sewing tips and a gift card to a fabric store. |
A Tip or Two
- Start with pre-made sewing kits and add your own touches, or build your own customized sewing kits into decorative tin boxes.
- Embroidery scissors work well in small kits; use 6-inch shears for larger sewing kits.
- Wind individual thread colors on clear bobbins to store more colors in less space.
- Long straight pins with plastic heads are easiest to handle when in a hurry.
- Use zip-lock jewelry storage pouches to organize buttons, snaps and other small items.
- Six-inch metal sewing gauges are more useful than tape measures for small repairs.
